Collapsible hinged table



May 26, 953 J. w. BEIGER 2,639,523

COLLAPSIBLE HINGED TABLE Filed May 16, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l 52 IV 24 mn15 I; J 5 INVENTOR.

Jo/ N W 55/6/52.

7 ATTORNEY May 26, 1953 J. w. BEIGER COLLAPSIBLE HINGED TABLE 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 16, 1952 INVENTOR. Jon/v W BE'IGEZ.

M W ATTORNEY Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STAT ES PATENT OFFICECOLLAPSIBLE HINGED TABLE John W. Beiger, South Bend, Ind.

ApplicationMay 16, 1952, Serial N 0. 288,152

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible tables, and moreparticularly to that type of table which is used in hand ironing and iscommonly known as an ironing board.

The primar object of this invention is to provide a novel and simpleconstruction of table having a top formed of two separate panels adaptedto .be abutted when the table is erected, and having a novel leg andbracing structure for supporting the table panels in operative relation,said table being collapsiblev with said panels disposed in registeringand confronting substan tially parallel relation. and said legs andsupporting structure being located alongside and substantially parallelto one of said panels, whereby the entire structure is encompassedwithin a small space so that it may be conveniently and inexpensivelypackaged, handled and stored.

A further object is to provide a table of the character having at leasttwo panels adapted for edge abutment when the table is erected. and acollapsible leg structure for supporting th tam top which has associatedtherewith a novel latch for holding all parts of th structure in opera.-tive erected position and in rigid relation to one another.

A further object is to provide a table for use as an ironing boardhaving two panels which are disposed in end abutment and at a slightangle to each other, which are provided with a flexible coveringconnected at the outer ends of said panel and drawn taut so that theintermediate portion thereof is normally spaced above the central endportions of said top panels to provid .an air space between the coverand said panel.

A further object is to provide a table in the nature of an ironing boardhaving a top formed of two parts disposed at a slight. angle to oneanother and each covered with a heat reflective metal foil material andoverlaid by a flexible fabric cover connected to the opposite ends ofsaid top structure and drawn taut so that the intermediate portionthereof is spaced above said heat reflecting material.

A further object is to provide a table in the nature of an ironingboard, having a top formed of a pair of rigid panels and covered by afabric connected at the opposite outer ends of said panels and free fromthe central portions of said panels so that said cover will fold toaccommodate. relative movement of said top panels between erected andcollapsed positions without requiring release or disconnection of saidcoverin irom said table top, and wherein the operation of extending saidtable top to the operation position will automatically extend andtighten said cover.

other objects will be apparent from t llowing specification.

In the drawin s:

Fig, 1 is a side view of the table top in erected position.

Fi is a fra mentary side v w il ust at g initial manipulation of the ale ward collapsed position.

Fig. 3 is another fragmentary side View of the table illustratingfurther movement thereof toward collapsed position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged bottom lace view of the table in completelycollapsed position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of the table in completely collapsedposition.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged. transverse sectional View taken on line 6-6 ofFig, 2, and illustrating the latch mechanism of the device.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line 1-1 ofFig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 8-3 oilEig.v 9 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 9 9 of 1 andillustrating a modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate one embodiment of theinvention, the numeral It designates one top panel and I2 designates asecond top panel. The numeral 14 designates a front leg, and the numeral[6 designates a pair of rear legs.

The top panel I0 is preferably substantially rectangular and is of alength approximately equal to or slightly greater than the height atwhich the said panel is supported above floor level by the legs l4 andIt. The legs 16 are pivotally connected to the panel 10 adjacent one endthereof by means of brackets, as best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 8. Thebrackets are preferably U-shaped, having a web portion 1% bearing flatagainst the bottom surface of the table and secured fixedly thereto bysecuring members 2i]. Leg portions or flanges 22 project substantiallyperpendicularly from opposite ends of the web l8 depending therefrom andapertured to receive a hinge pin .24. The brackets and the hinge pin 24are positioned as best illustrated in Fig, 4 spaced from one end of thepanel It, equally spaced from the longitudinal center line from thepanel H1, and preferably equia-ngularly related to the said cen er li ddjac nt and surface with their inner end portions closer to the end edgeof the anel than from their outer ends, The brackets are preferablyspaced inwardly from the outer longitudinal edges of the panel I0. Eachleg member I6 has a beveled end surface 26 and has a bore extendingthrough the end portion thereof with its axis substantiallyperpendicular to the bevel face 26, and receives the hinge pin or bar24. The angle of the bevel 26 is correlated to the angular dispositionof the mounting bracket so that the legs I6 will lie substantiallyparallel to each other and to the longitudinal edges of the panel I whensaid legs are in the collapsed position illustrated in Fig. 5. The samebevel arrangement causes the legs I6 to assume positions incliningdownwardly and outwardly when the table is erected in the Fig. 1position, the bevel in this instance being sufficient to space the freeor lower ends of the legs I6 a distance greater than the width of thepanel I0 and thus afford lateral stability to the table when erected.

The legs I6 preferably abut the outermost depending leg or flange 22 ofthe mounting bracket, and a bevel block or spacer 28 bears against theouter surface of each said leg. The blocks 28 are apertured and thehinge pin 24 extends through the aperture thereof and terminates in anenlarged head 30 hearing against the outer surface of said bevel block.A diagonal brace 32 is anchored at 34 to each leg I6 intermediate thelength thereof and extends in upwardly diverging relation with respectthereto for face abutment with the innermost flange or depending leg 22of each bracket. The pin 24 extends through an angularly bent endportion 36 of each brace 32 and has an enlarged head 38 bearing againstthe inner face of the brace portion 36.

A pair of laterally spaced brackets, secured to the panel I0 at the endthereof opposite that at which the legs I6 are mounted, serve to mountthe front leg I4. Each of these brackets has a base plate 40 bearing inface engagement with the bottom surface of the panel I0 and positionedto project forwardly of the front edge 42 of the panel I0 so as todefine a stop 44. Depending flanges 46 extend perpendicularly from theplates 40 in substantially parallel relation to one another spaced apartto receive the front leg I4 therebetween, said front leg being pivotedat 48 to the flanges 46. The pivot axis lies parallel to the abuttingpanel edge 42 and perpendicular to the longitudinal side edges of thepanel, and the leg I4 is positioned substantially centrally between thelongitudinal side edges of the panel I0 so that the leg I4 will liesubstantially parallel to the longitudinal side edges of the panel I0when collapsed as illustrated in Fig. 4, and will swing to an erected oroperative position projecting longitudinally forwardly and downwardly asillustrated in Fig. l.

The panel I2 has rigid brackets or arms 50 secured at 52 to the rearportions of the opposite side edges thereof. These rigid arms areelongated and project rearwardly beyond the abutting edge 54 of thefront panel to define similarly curved portions 56 which extenddownwardly and rearwardly when the table is in erected position asillustrated in Fig. 1. The parts 56 preferably lie in parallel planesspaced apart a dimension slightly greater than the width of the panelI0. Each of these parts 56 has an aperture 58 formed therein forpurposes to be described. Plates 60 bear against the bottom surface ofthe panel I2 at the rear portions of opposite side margins thereof andterminate'in portions 62 which project rearwardly beyond the rear edge54 of the panel I2.

A pair of rigid brace members 64 are pivotally connected at 66 to thefront leg I4 intermediate the length of that leg. The braces 64 extenddivergently and angularly from the opposite sides of the leg I4 and eachthereof is pivotally connected at 68 to the free end portion of a curvedarm 56. A folding brace is pivotally connected at one end at 68 to eachof the curved arms 56, and each thereof extends rearwardly to theadjacent rear leg and. is pivotally connected to the adjacent rear legat I0 intermediate the length of the rear leg. Each folding bracecomprises a rigid portion I2 pivoted at 68 and pivotall connected at I4to the end of a second rigid brace part I6. Each brace part "I6 carriesa stop I8 engageable with the adjacent leg I6, as illusstrated in Fig.3, to limit the pivotal movement of the part I6 in one direction so thatthe part I6 will lie substantially parallel to the leg I6 when the stopI8 abuts said leg, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Each brace part I6 has aportion thereof projecting beyond the pivot connection I4 of the braceparts I2 and I6, and the part 80 mounts a laterally projecting pin 82which is adapted to underlie and engage the other brace part I2 whensaid brace parts are extended in operative position as illustrated inFigs. 1 and 2. An elongated spring 84 is fixedly anchored at 86 at oneend portion thereof to the brace parts I2 spaced from the brace pivot"I4 and extends into engagement with the pin 82 and acts upon said pinin a direction to resist collapsing of the foldable brace from itsextended or operative position illustrated in Fig. 1.

The various parts of the device, particularly the two table top panelsand the legs, are interconnected by the structure heretofore described,but in a flexible manner which freely accommodates movement of the partsof the device from fully erected position illustrated in Fig. 1, to afully collapsed position illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Means arerequired in addition for the purpose of holding the table in its erectedposition illustrated in Fig. 1 with the table top parts in firmlysupported end abutting engagement and with the legs locked in positionto support the table top firmly at the desired level.

One form of releasable latching mechanism for holding the various partsof the table in erect position is illustrated in Figs. 4 to I,inclusive. As here illustrated this latching mechanism comprises a plate90 which is fixedly securedto the panel I0 substantially centrallybetween the sides of that panel and adjacent to the brackets 40 to whichthe leg I4 is pivoted, said plate being secured by one or more screws orother securing members 92. The plate is apertured adjacent one end, asadjacent the left end as 'shown in Figs. 4 and '7, and a communicatingaperture may be formed in the panel I 0. These apertures form a journalto rotatably receive a pin 94 carried by a block or plate 96, preferablyof rectangular shape in cross-section, and which has projectingtherefrom a handle part 98 by means of which the block 96 may be rotatedor turned about the pin 94 as a pintle.

A pair of brackets, preferably of U-shape and each having a base plateI00 secured fixedly to the panel I0, are located at opposite sides ofthe plate 90 preferably adjacent the side edges of the panel I0. Each ofthese brackets has depending flange portions I02 which are apertured toslidably receive a latching bar or shaft I04. The brackets and theirapertures are so oriented that the bars I04 extend laterally at a slightangle to the side edges of the panel I0, said bars I04 beingsubstantially parallel and their terminal portions I06 being located atsubstantially the same distance from the front edge 42 of the panel I0.Laterally projecting parts I08 are carried. by the bars Ill l and eachbears against one face of the member 96. The parts Hi8 are preferablyapertured to slidably receive the opposite bar. This, arrangement isbest illustrated in Fig. 4 in which it will be seen that the lateralprojectin part Hi8 of the upper bar I04 bears. against the lower surfaceof the member 96v as viewed in said figure, and that the lateralprojection I08 of the lower bar I04. bears against the uppersurface ofthey part 96 as viewed in said figure. Spring means are employed to holdthe parts I08 in engagement with the part 95 and to urge the parts Hi8toward each other. As here illustrated, said spring means may constitutea substantially U-shaped wire spring IIU; looped atits central part orbight and anchored by the screw I02 and having side runs bearing againstthe outer surfaces of projecting parts I08. The arrangement is such thatwhen the parts are located as illustrated in Fig. l, the terminal endsI06 of the latching bars IM will be projecting laterally be yond theside edges of the panel Ill. The handle 98 may be gripped to rotate thepart s6 and therebyto spread the projections I08 on the bars N34 to theextent required to retract the terminal portions Hit of the bars to aposiion substantially flush or within the over-all outline of the panelill. The terminal portions I06 of the locking bars are adapted to seatin the apertures 58 of the arms 56 carried by the front panel portion I2when the panels Ill and I2 are in edge abutment and in properorientation so that the structure assumes the position illustrated inFig. l.

The top surface of each of the panels ill and I2 preferably has adheredor otherwise secured thereto a sheet II2 of metal foil, such as aluminumfoil, having high heat reflective properties. A flexible cover II-llspans the .top of the panels It. and I2, being fixedly secured at I IEto the rear or outer end of the panel I9. and fixedly secured at IIS.tothe front or outer end of the panel I2.

feature ofthe invention, it may be incorporated ina table or ironingboard in which the two angularly disposed panels are fixedly securedtogether at the desired angle, and this feature of the invention istherefore not limited to tables of the character in which the sectionsof the tabletop are movable relative to each other upon collapse of thetable. The cover II4 may be formed ofany material found suitable and ofthe char-- acter well known in the art. Preferably it will consist of atleast two webs, one a soft and compressible cushioning web which ispositioned lowermost, and the other a fabric or cloth upper layer. Bothlayers will have sufficient flexibility and extensibility to permit themto be stretched to conform to the surface contour or angular dispositionof the table top panels. Where a cushioning pad: is, used, it will:preferably be anehoredto the rear marginal portion of the panel I2, asby lacing or any other suitable means (not shown), in addition to. itsanchorage at, H6 and H8. The outer or uppermost layer or sheet will beentirely free from the panels adjacent to the joint between panels. andwill be anchored to the panels only at their ends H6 and IIS althoughthe longitudinal or side edges of the cover may be secured to the sidemargins of. the panels for a short distance from each outer end thereof,if desired, for the purpose of assisting in holding the cover II4 flat.The longitudinal securement must be very short in any instance, however,so as not to interfere with the full collapse of the table to theposition illustrated in Fig. 5 in which. the panel I2 overlies asubstantial part of the panel I0.

Assuming that the table is erected in the Fig. 1 position, it may becollapsed as follows: Thev table. will preferably be supported on end,that is, at the end I I6 .thereof, with the table top extendingsubstantially vertically. Thereupon the handle portion 98 for the cammember 96 is swung to rotate the cam member and separate the lateralprojections I08 of the locking bars I04 to withdraw the terminalportions Hi5 of said bars from the apertures 58 of the rearwardlyprojecting rigid arms or brackets 56 carried by the panel I2. Thisreleases the part I2 so that it may swing clear of the part II), asillustrated in Fig. 2. The folding braces I2, I6 for the rear legs illwill, preferably be partially folded before or immediately aftermanipulation of the latch, and the parts are thereafter free to move insuch a manner that the part I2 moves along the upper or top surface ofthe panel I0 through theposition illustrated in Fig. 3 to a position asillustrated in Fig. 5. The legs pivot incident to this movement with thefront leg I l pivoting rearwardly and the rear legs I8 pivotingforwardly. In the fully collapsed. position the front panel I2 will bearfiat upon and be positioned substantially centrally of the panel I0 andparallel thereto. The legs I l and I6 will lie in a substantially commonplane substantially parallel to one another, as viewed in Fig. 4, andsubstantially parallel to the planes of the panels I0 and I2 asillustrated in Fig. 5. This results in a reduction of the overalldimensions of the table to a length and width substantially equal to thelength and width of the panel Ill and to a depth or thickness onlyslightly greater than the combined thicknesses of the panels It and I2and the legs I l and I6, which thickness is determined principally bythe dimensions of the bracket portions 22 on which the legs I6 arepivoted and the bracket portion 46 to which the leg It is pivoted. Thissmall and compact arrangement permits storage ofthe table in a smallspace, reduces the dimensions of a package for encasing the table forshipment, and facilitates handling of the collapsed table.

Erection of the table involves a sequence of operations or steps thereverse of those described above and as required for collapsing thetable. In this connection, it is interesting to observe that the finalmovements of the parts to erect the table include acts of abutting theedges 32 and 5d of the two panels at a substantial angle to one another,as illustrated in Fig 2, followed by swinging of the panel I2 towardalignment with the panel It. This entails a swinging of the brackets asabout the abutting panel edges to bring the apertures 58 thereof intoalignment with the terminal ends I08 of the locking bars The armsffiadjacent to the apertures 58 will preferably be beveled todefine cams(not shown) which will facilitate movement of the parts as required todeflect or retract the spring pressed bars I04 when the same are engagedand until the apertures 58 are brought into register with the terminalbar portions I00. Thereupon the terminal ends I06 of the lockin bars I04snap into the apertures 58.

The panels I and I2 are held in desired rela tion and againstdisplacement by the fact that the plates 40 of the front leg pivotingbrackets which are carried by the panel II] project beyond the frontedge 42 of the panel I0 and underlie and engage the rear margin of thepanel I2. Similarly, the parts 62 of the plates 60, fixedly carried byand in face engagement with the bottom of the panel I2 at opposite sidesthereof, underlie and engage the front margin of the panel I0.Consequently, when the panel ends 42 and 54 are brought into engagementas shown in Fig. 2, these parts form guides which assist in pivoting ofthe panels toward the operative erected position, and furthermore, whenthe table has been erected in the Fig. 1 position, said stops, togetherwith the locking engagement of the arms 56 with the looking bars I04 atpoints rearwardly and downwardly relative to the abutting edges of thepanels, serve as means to effectively hold the parts in operativerelation. In this connection, of course, the braces 84 and 72-16 for thelegs also cooperate toward the accomplishment of the maintenance of theoperative erected position of the parts. The action of all the parts toachieve the mutual purpose of reinforcing, supporting and rigidifyin thestructure, is automatic with the exception of the requirement for manualmanipulation of the folding braces 72, 15. The extension of these bracesto position the rear legs operatively will preferably be performed afterthe interlock of the bar ends I06 in the brace apertures 58 has beenaccomplished.

In the erected position of the parts the cooperation of the variousparts to maintain the erected position may be readily analyzed. Thus itwill be apparent that, by reason of the abutment of the panel edges 42and 44 and the provision of the plates 40 and 62 upon said parts, eachengaging the other panel part, lateral displacement or tilting of one ofthe panels relative to the other is prohibited. Longitudinaldisplacement of the panels is likewise prohibited 7 by the cooperationof the aforementioned parts together with the interlock of the lockingbars I04 with the apertures 58 of the arms 56. The latching of thebrackets 56, together with the abutment of the panels, serves toposition the pivot 68 fixedly, and, consequently, the front leg I4 willautomatically be positioned in operative and desired relaton when theinterlock is effected at 8I06, because the braces 64 extending to thefront leg and pivoted at the point 63 are rigid. The same condition willapply with reference to the positioning of the rear legs as soon as therear folding braces are extended to the Fig. 1 position so as to becomerigid, because these braces IE-"I0 are likewise pivoted at the fixedpoint 68. As soon, however, as the braces 'I2-'I6 are folded and theinterlock 58-406 is released, then all of the parts are free to move andto swing to collapsed position.

While I have illustrated and described a construction in which thepanels I0 and I2 are positioned at an angle to one another when erected,this is not necessary. In some tables, and even in some iron boards, itmay be desired to have the two panels lie in a common plane. Thus in 36per cent.

an ironing board, if a perforated top construction, as distinguishedfrom an imperforate top construction, is used, then the need for angulardisposition to provide the air space I20 is overcome and a perfectlyflat composite table top is fully operative.

The angular position of the panels I0, I2 01. the table top in anironing board construction, so that the flexible cover I I4 anchored tothe opposite ends of that table top will be spaced above theintermediate portion of the table top at the space I20, is ofconsiderable importance and advantage in ironing. The reason for thisadvantage is that the air space I20 serves as a ventilation and speedsthe operation of ironing.

I have made comparative tests and have found that a breathing actionexists in ironing on a structure of this character. In other words, asthe iron is moved along in this construction, the part of the coverwhich is contacted by the iron is depressed into contact with the topsurface of the panel I0. Then a subsequent stroke of the iron toward oneof the other ends of the ironing board or table top permits the .coverto again move out of contact with the table top and thus again opens thespace I20. This draws air into that space and creates an air circulationwhich, combined with the heat of the iron, tends rapidly to absorbmoisture.

One test has been made by weighing a number of pieces of cloth ofdifferent sizes and material at whatever moisture content they haddetermined by ambient conditions, that is, by the temperature andrelative humidity in the room. The pieces were then sprayed with waterand rolled up tightly and were again weighed. The pieces were thenironed upon a board constructed as here illustrated and possessing theair space I20 and metal foil II 2 and having a cushioning pad beneaththe cloth top cover sheet, until the moisture content was reduced andthe pieces had the initial weight. Thereupon another test was made usingan ordinary ironing board having the padding cover drawn tightly overthe surface of the board, all other conditions remaining the same. Thepieces having the same moisture content as determined by sprayed weightwere then ironed with the same iron for the same period of time as inthe test made with the ironing board of the present invention. Whenweighed, the result showed that ironing on the standard board removedonly 66% of the moisture as compared with the removal of moisture in thesame period of time by the use of applicants invention. A second testwas made with conditions the same as the first test, but in thisinstance ironing upon the ordinary board was continued until all themoisture was removed. The total time required for the ironing operationwith the standard board, to remove totally the moisture content, greatlyexceeded that required with this new construction. The saving in timeamounted to In other words, the amount of ironing that could be done inone hour upon an ordinary board could have been done at the same rate inapproximately 38 minutes with this new construction.

One reason for the advantage of time-saving above mentioned is that thepresent construction, with its ventilating characteristics, reduces themoisture transfer from the work piece to the cushioning pad I I3. Thecushioning nature of the pad ordinarily results from the porosity of thepad material so that substantial moisture transfer to the pad throughthe porous cloth top sheet H occurs where the sheet and pad are incontinuous contact. The presence of the ventilating space I20 in thisconstruction, particularly in cases where the pad H3 is held out ofnormal contact with the sheet H5 by securement of the pad to the frontpanel i2, limits contact of pad and sheet to the time and extent thatthe iron. bears against thereon. Thus as soon as the iron is removedfrom the cover H5, moisture transfer to the pad terminates in thisconstruction. The result is that the pad remains substantially dry atall times in this construction, whereas the pad in a conventionalironing board will become moistened after usage for a short time. Suchmoistening increases progressively and, as it increases, the timerequired for ironing increases proportionally.

A modification of the invention is shown in Fig. 9. In this constructionthe pad I I3, and the foil sheet H2 if used, is secured to the panel [2for substantially its full extent, but said pad is anchored to the panelin only at the end H6 thereof. The cloth cover sheet H5 is secured atends Hi5 and H8 to the panels It! and i2 and is extended tautlongitudinally when the table is erected, so as to provide the space[20. In order to provide tautness of the cover sheet H5 laterally,stretching means may be applied to said sheet, preferably at its centerand, if desired, at additional points along its length. Such stretchingmeans may constitute a member formed of wire or other substantiallyrigid or resilient material having end portions iZZ extendinglongitudinally of the sheet H5 and anchored thereto at a portion of saidsheet whose width is greater than the adjacent part of the top panel, asby a longitudinal pocket formed in the cover sheet by the infolded andstitched marginal sheet portion I24. From the end portions I22, the wireis bent downwardly to provide runs I26 of a height greater than thenormal spacing between sheet H5 and the bottom surface of the adjacenttop panel. A central transverse run I28 interconnects the runs I26 andcompletes the stretching means.

This arrangement avoids interference with the folding of the table andholds the cover sheet taut laterally so it will not wrinkle in use. Thestretching means does not interfere with the ironing operation, sincethe stretching means is positioned solely by the cover sheet H5 whichsupports it and will assume a lowered position compared to that shownwhenever the cover sheet is depressed during the ironing operation.

Coating of the top of the board with aluminum foil to reflect the heatfrom the iron back into the pad and the cover is advantageous to speedthe operation of ironing. This pad cover, being flexible, will fold toaccommodate collapsing of the board. Its size and dimension will be suchthat it will automatically be tensioned and drawn taut when the board ortable top is erected. The tensioning of the cover eliminates wrinklesand makes for easy ironing.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustratedand described herein, it will be understood that changes in theconstruction may be made within the scope of the appended claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted foredge abutment when erected, a pair of legs pivoted to one panel adjacentone end thereof, a third leg pivoted to said one panel at the other endthereof, a bracket extension carried by the other panel, a braceinterconnecting and pivoted to said third leg and said bracketextension, folding braces interconnecting and pivoted to said first legsand said bracket extension, and a latch carried by said one panel andreleasably engaging said bracket extension adjacent to the pivotconnections'of said first brace and said folding braces therewith.

2. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted foredge abutment when erected, supporting means pivoted to said one paneladjacent one end thereof, a leg pivoted to said one panel at the otherend thereof, a stop carried by said one panel adjacent to said leg, abracket projecting from the other panel, a brace interconnecting andpivoted to said leg and said bracket, and a latch carried by said onepanel, said latch releasably interlocking with said bracket when saidpanels are in operative edge abutting relation with said other panelengaging said stop.

3. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted foredge abutment when erected, a bracket projecting longitudinally from oneend of one panel, a pair of legs pivoted to the other panel at one endthereof, a third leg pivoted to said other panel at the other endthereof, a latch carried by said other panel and releasably interlockingwith said bracket, a folding brace interconnecting each leg of said pairwith said bracket, and a brace pivoted at opposite ends to said thirdleg and said bracket.

4. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted foredge abutment when erected, a bracket projecting longitudinally from oneend of one panel, a pair of legs pivoted to the other panel at one endthereof, a third leg pivoted to said other panel at the other endthereof, a latch carried by said other panel and releasably interlockingwith said bracket, a folding brace interconnecting each leg of said pairwith said bracket, and a brace pivoted at opposite ends to said thirdleg and said bracket, said folding brace and last named brace beingpivoted to said bracket on a common axis adjacent to the interlockbetween said bracket and latch.

5. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted foredge abutment when erected, a bracket projecting longitudinally from oneend of one panel, a pair of legs pivoted to the other panel at one endthereof, a third leg pivoted to said other panel at the other endthereof, a latch carried by said other panel and releasably interlockingwith said bracket, a folding brace interconnecting each leg of said pairwith said bracket, and a brace pivoted at opposite ends to said thirdleg and said bracket, said bracket including a pair of rigid armsprojecting longitudinally from one end of one panel at opposite sidesthereof, each of said arms being pivotally connected to a folding braceand to a brace connected to said third leg.

'6. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted foredge abutment when erected, a bracket projecting longitudinally from oneend of one panel, a pair of legs pivoted to the other panel at one endthereof, a third leg pivoted to said other panel at the other endthereof, a latch carried by said other panel and releasably interlockingwith said bracket, a folding brace interconnecting each leg of said pairwith said bracket, and a brace pivoted at opposite ends to said thirdleg and said bracket, said panels having stops 1 1 each engageable withthe other panel to orient said panels in end abutment when erected.

7. A collapsible table comprising a pair of rigid panels adapted foredge abutment when erected, a bracket projecting longitudinally from oneend of one panel, a pair of legs pivoted to the other panel at one endthereof, a third leg pivoted to said other panel at the other endthereof, a latch carried by said other panel and releasably interlockingwith said bracket, a folding brace interconnecting each leg of said pairwith said bracket, a brace pivoted at opposite ends to said third legoperable to release said latch.

JOHN W. BEIGER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,200,737 Laurent Oct. 10, 1916 2,214,824 Smith et a1 Sept.17, 1940 2,432,932 Peters Dec. 16, 1947

